South Africa’s pig industry is facing mounting pressure due to the spread of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) and African swine fever (ASF), which are causing significant herd losses and rising production costs.
Since late 2025, at least 16 FMD outbreaks have been recorded on commercial pig farms across several provinces, affecting around 12,700 sows. The situation has been further aggravated by ASF outbreaks near Pretoria, where nearly 5,900 sows were culled.
Combined losses amount to approximately 18,600 sows, which translates into more than 250,000 pigs when considering the full production cycle. Some producers have already exited the industry following repeated outbreaks, further tightening market supply.
One of the key challenges highlighted by producers is the mismatch between existing FMD control protocols and the specific needs of pig production. Measures originally designed for cattle restrict market access, delay slaughter, and significantly reduce carcass value. In some cases, farmers lose up to half the value of each animal, prompting them to postpone sales.
Additional restrictions, including prolonged quarantine periods, are also creating serious animal welfare issues. Overcrowding, delays in sending pigs to slaughter, increased stress, and behavioral problems such as cannibalism are becoming more widespread.
At the same time, the industry is showing some resilience. Producers are strengthening biosecurity measures and improving preparedness for outbreaks. High pork prices and relatively lower feed costs are helping some farms remain profitable, provided herd health is maintained.
Vaccination efforts are also being introduced in response to the outbreaks, although they are constrained by limited supply and uncertainty regarding their impact on export opportunities.
Overall, the continued spread of infectious diseases is reshaping South Africa’s pig sector, creating new operating conditions in which biosecurity, adaptability, and effective risk management are becoming critical.
PigUA.info, based on materials from 3tres3.com